The EU’s new border checks, launched in late 2025, are known as the Entry/Exit System (EES) have already caught out 4,000 overstayers in the Schengen zone. Here’s what you need to know ahead of Easter and summer holidays
The next time you travel to Europe, things at the border will probably work differently. The EU has introduced new border checks called the Entry/Exit System (EES), which, in certain airports, is leading to long queues. Then, adding to the abbreviations is Etias – a new visa waiver due after EES is fully rolled out, and expected to be phased in from late 2026.
These changes mean that all third-party nationals arriving in Schengen countries, including UK passport holders since Brexit, will need to register their biometrics. The Schengen zone includes popular holiday destinations like France, Italy, Spain and Portugal, but not Cyprus or Ireland.
Within four months of the staggered roll-out of new EES checks, 4,000 travellers have been caught overstaying their legal 90-day limit, according to Henrik Nielsen, director for Migration and Home Affairs at the European Commission.
Adding to the abbreviations is Etias: a new visa waiver that British travellers will have to pay for to visit Europe. Although this is due to be introduced in late 2026, it won’t be mandatory for UK passport holders until early 2027.
If you’re travelling to or from Europe, here’s what you need to know for a hassle-free trip.
EES involves having your fingerprints and/or a facial scan taken at dedicated EES kiosks, or by a border officer, as well as answering questions about the reason for your visit.
This takes place on your arrival at European airports or – with Eurostar and the Port of Dover – before you clear French passport control in the UK. Checks are in place at the Port of Dover, and for some Eurostar passengers.
Registering for EES takes a few minutes, which leads to longer queues in some airports. The system was due to be fully rolled out by 10 April 2026. But in reality, travellers may have inconsistent experiences at the border throughout until at least September 2026.
The EES website, which is run by the European Commission, says that it expects EES to be fully rolled out across the 29 Schengen countries by 10 April 2026. But it will allow airports and ports in EU member states to suspend checks for up to 90 days, with another 60-day extension possible. For travellers, this means you may not necessarily need to do EES checks on your next summer holiday — but it’s wise to prepare as if you will be, and anticipate delays.
The new digital Entry/Exit System requires all non-EU passport holders, including those with British passports, to be fingerprinted and photographed at border control.
When the system is fully operational, travellers of all ages will be subject to these border checks, although children under 12 won't have to give fingerprints.
This will usually be done at new, dedicated automated kiosks, alternatively, by a border officer when arriving overseas at airports and, for Eurostar/Eurotunnel and at the Port of Dover, before leaving the UK.
Visitors will also have to answer questions about the length of their stay and whether they have enough money to fund their trip
Theoretically, the system should replace passport stamping from 10 April, but it is unclear whether this will be a hard stop, or if this step will be phased out more slowly. Which? has reached out to the European Commission to determine whether travellers need to get their passports stamped after 10 April if travelling through a member state that has temporarily suspended EES. If you’re travelling soon and are given the opportunity to have your passport stamped, you should accept it.
Yes, although the launch date of 12 October 2025 was a progressive start date. There will be a gradual launch of different parts of the biometric system, in case of technical issues. This means that not all your biometric data will be collected when you next travel.
After full implementation on 10 April, airports will still be allowed to pause EES to avoid long queues during peak summer travel.
Passports will continue to be stamped as usual until the full implementation from 10 April 2026. It is unclear whether they may continue to be stamped on a case-by-case basis after this, in ports where EES has been temporarily suspended.
EES applies across all Schengen countries, including Bulgaria and Romania. The only exceptions are Ireland, which shares a Common Travel Area with the UK, and Cyprus, which will operate border controls separately.
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EES rules state that UK travellers may spend 90 in every 180 days in the Schengen zone. Unless you’re taking trips longer and/or more frequently than this, it’s not something to worry about – just make sure you get your passport stamped each time you travel in and out of the EU until this step is phased out.
If you do overstay, the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO) says you could be banned from countries in the Schengen Area for up to three years. These rules come under the EU’s Return Directive 2008/115, which states that any entry ban should take into account the specific circumstances of each individual case — meaning that it may depend on factors like the length of your overstay, and any other mitigating factors.
If you’re concerned, you can use the European Union’s 90/180 calculator tool, which is available on the official Travel to Europe website.
Possibly. EES is supposed to be in operation at all airports and ports from 10 April. Those planning summer holidays and worried about queues may be reassured to hear that the European Commission has announced it will allow airports to pause the system to alleviate congestion and disruption during peak summer travel months. Where checks are in place, you will probably spend more time at the border, which may lead to queues.
No, apart from checking your passport validity and that you’re following the 90/180-day Schengen rule.
There’s no advance registration or paperwork needed before you travel.
However, it’s worth allowing extra time for your journey. For example, when booking transfers and car hire or other onward travel, take into consideration that you may wait longer than normal to exit the airport. You may want to ensure that your car hire company doesn’t impose a penalty for late pick-up – and warn it if you’re delayed.
For peace of mind, you can also double-check the entry requirements of your destination by checking its FCDO Foreign Travel Advice page.
EES is considered to be fully rolled out as of 10 April 2026, following a progressive roll-out that started on 12 October 2025. However, travellers may have inconsistent experiences for the next few months, and possibly beyond, as ports and airports fully adapt to the new rules.
The EES will eventually fully replace passport stamping and will help the EU to more closely track whether travellers are respecting the EU’s 90/180-day rule. This rule means British travellers cannot stay in the Schengen area for more than 90 days in any 180-day stretch.
Not yet. Although some airports, such as airports in Germany and Bulgaria, along with Lisbon and Faro in Portugal, and Rome Fiumicino, are already allowing UK travellers through the e-Gates – and it is hoped more will do so in future.
Even if you do go through an e-Gate, you’ll still get your passport stamped by a border guard afterwards until at least 10 April. It’s crucial to approach the passport desk to have your passport stamped, otherwise you could face problems about the length of your stay.
You may be asked when registering for EES if you have enough money to cover your stay. But we haven’t found any instances of British passport holders being refused entry on the basis of their answer.
Rumours of British tourists being fined under Spain’s '£97-a-day' rule are unfounded. The rule has long existed and technically applies to UK visitors post-Brexit, but Spanish authorities confirmed to Which? that it’s not enforced against British tourists, and none have been refused entry. That said, it’s sensible to carry a return ticket and accommodation details in case you’re asked.
Again, this is unlikely. Some countries in the Schengen area list travel insurance as a requirement for entry, but it’s not a rule that has ever been used to deny entry to UK travellers, as far as we’re aware.
When Eurostar first introduced EES, passengers were asked about travel insurance, but this and other questions have been temporarily dropped, with no mention of them on the Eurostar’s EES page. Which has reached out to Eurostar to ask when, and if these questions will be reintroduced. Eurostar also offers a helpful tool for checking border requirements for your journey – just type in your destination.
Either way, securing travel insurance as soon as you’ve booked a trip is advisable. While a UK Ehic/Ghic card can cover medically necessary state healthcare in the EU, it won’t cover private treatment or repatriation. Plus, travel insurance will protect you against wider issues, including cancellations or lost baggage.
No. Just prepare for extra border checks. You may be able to pre-register on an official app called Travel to Europe in future, but at the moment this is only available if you’re travelling to Sweden or Portugal.
The EU has created an app, called Travel to Europe, that allows travellers to pre-register their passport information, upload a photo, and answer the questions asked at kiosks up to 72 hours before arriving at border control. It's not yet available for download in the UK but is being piloted in Sweden and Portugal.
In this case, EES checks will take place at kiosks on the UK side. The roll-out of these checks has been staggered, and will continue until full implementation in April 2026.
Eurostar says that EES is being launched gradually and that there will be minimal changes for the first few months. It is currently asking some Eurostar Premier passengers, or those travelling with Carte Blanche or Étoile Club Eurostar membership to register with EES at a pre-registration kiosk.
It says it will provide a further update regarding when EES registration will be mandatory for all passengers, including information on how it impacts their travel plans, and will do so “well in advance.” Which? has reached out to Eurostar to ask for an approximate timeline.
The Home Office says there are kiosks to register passengers before their journeys, and in October 2025 confirmed plans for 49 kiosks for Eurostar, 106 for Eurotunnel, and at Dover 72 for cars and 12 for coaches in an email to Which?.
However, it has also warned of delays caused by EES across airports, the Eurotunnel, Eurostar and Port of Dover in a statement.
Another change that British travellers should prepare for is the introduction of the European Travel Information and Authorisation System (Etias), otherwise known as a visa-waiver scheme, due to be phased in from late 2026 (currently forecast for October).
When it is fully implemented — which isn't expected until April 2027 — all holidaymakers will need to apply online and pay a fee of €20 (around £17) before travelling. The authorisation is expected to be valid for three years, or until your passport expires.
Not yet. Etias has been postponed several times and is now expected in late 2026, after EES has fully launched. There will be at least a six-month transition period and then an additional grace period before it becomes mandatory for UK passport holders.
When Etias launches, UK travellers will need it to travel to all the following states:
Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czechia (aka the Czech Republic), Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and Switzerland.
While Andorra, Monaco, San Marino and Vatican City are not part of the Schengen Area, they do not have independent external border controls. Travellers normally enter these territories via France or Italy. As these are Schengen Member States, visa-exempt travellers will need a valid ETIAS travel authorisation before entering the Schengen Area.
